Christopher Aston Ph.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine (Pulmonary Disease)
Host Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Research Summary
After exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, most immunocompetent
people can mount an effective immune response which results in the control
of the spread of infection and ultimately the destruction of most tubercle
bacilli. Providing the first line of defense against M.
tuberculosis are phagocytic cells. The cells involved in the initial
host response include acute inflammoatory cells, polymorphonuclear
leukocytes, and long-lived cells of monocytic origin such as alveolar
macrophages. Our research focuses on the human host response to
mycobacteria. Specifically, we have identified the ability to select
phagocytic cells to control mycobacterial growth. Human alveolar
macrophages effectively limit the intracellular growth of M. bovis
(BCG) and M. tuberculosis. Monocytes possess moderate
antimycobacterial abilities which increase with maturation in vitro.
Although polymorphonuclear leukocytes are the first line of defense against
mycobacteria, they fail to limit the growth of mycobacteria. Thus,
phagocytic cells express differential antimycobacterial properties. We are
currently defining the contribution of select intracellular signals
required for antimycobacterial action. Although we recently found that
protein tyrosine kinase activity is critical for mycobacterial growth
arrest, we have yet to define the role of protein tyrosine kinase activity
in phagocytosis or phagolysosomal fusion.
people can mount an effective immune response which results in the control
of the spread of infection and ultimately the destruction of most tubercle
bacilli. Providing the first line of defense against M.
tuberculosis are phagocytic cells. The cells involved in the initial
host response include acute inflammoatory cells, polymorphonuclear
leukocytes, and long-lived cells of monocytic origin such as alveolar
macrophages. Our research focuses on the human host response to
mycobacteria. Specifically, we have identified the ability to select
phagocytic cells to control mycobacterial growth. Human alveolar
macrophages effectively limit the intracellular growth of M. bovis
(BCG) and M. tuberculosis. Monocytes possess moderate
antimycobacterial abilities which increase with maturation in vitro.
Although polymorphonuclear leukocytes are the first line of defense against
mycobacteria, they fail to limit the growth of mycobacteria. Thus,
phagocytic cells express differential antimycobacterial properties. We are
currently defining the contribution of select intracellular signals
required for antimycobacterial action. Although we recently found that
protein tyrosine kinase activity is critical for mycobacterial growth
arrest, we have yet to define the role of protein tyrosine kinase activity
in phagocytosis or phagolysosomal fusion.
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Related Images
Acid-fast Kinyoun staining of normal human alveolar macrophage-associated M. tuberculosis following in vitro infection for 90 min.
Research Information
Research Interests
Host Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Research Keywords
alveolar macrophages, mycobacteria, phagocytes, protein tyrosine kinases, tuberculosis
